Bench-Back Aircraft Seat for Aircraft Passenger Compartment Suites

ABSTRACT

An aircraft seat for an aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a primary section with an upper actuatable portion and a lower actuatable portion. The primary section may be configured to actuate between a primary upright position and a primary lie-flat position. The aircraft seat may include an auxiliary section including an auxiliary seatback portion coupled to a privacy shell element of the aircraft passenger compartment suite and an auxiliary seat base portion configured to actuate between an auxiliary upright position and an auxiliary lie-flat position. The auxiliary seatback portion may include an actuatable element. The actuatable element may be configured to actuate between an open position and a closed position. The actuatable element may be configured to provide access to a stowage compartment when the actuatable element is in the open position.

BACKGROUND

In commercial transportation vehicles such as passenger aircraft, anaircraft passenger compartment suite may include one or more aircraftseats. The aircraft seat may be designed for a primary occupyingpassenger, but there may be a desire for a guest passenger to visit theaircraft passenger compartment suite during flight, which may requireadditional seating.

SUMMARY

An aircraft seat for an aircraft passenger compartment suite isdisclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.The aircraft seat may include a primary section with an upper actuatableportion and a lower actuatable portion. The primary section may beconfigured to actuate between a primary upright position and a primarylie-flat position. The aircraft seat may include an auxiliary sectionincluding an auxiliary seatback portion coupled to a privacy shellelement of the aircraft passenger compartment suite and an auxiliaryseat base portion configured to actuate between an auxiliary uprightposition and an auxiliary lie-flat position. The auxiliary seatbackportion may include an actuatable element. The actuatable element may beconfigured to actuate between an open position and a closed position.The actuatable element may be configured to provide access to a stowagecompartment when the actuatable element is in the open position.

In some embodiments, an actuation of the auxiliary seat base portion ofthe auxiliary section may be dependent on an actuation of the primarysection.

In some embodiments, an actuation of the auxiliary seat base portion ofthe auxiliary section may be independent of an actuation of the primarysection.

In some embodiments, a width of the actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be equal to a width of the auxiliary section.

In some embodiments, a width of the actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be less than a width of the auxiliary section.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary seatback portion may include a secondactuatable element. The second actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be configured to actuate between a stowed positionand a deployed position.

In some embodiments, the actuatable element of the auxiliary seatbackportion may be configured to rest on the second actuatable element ofthe auxiliary seatback portion when the actuatable element of theauxiliary seatback portion is in the open position and the secondactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion is in the deployedposition.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary seat base portion may include asecond actuatable element, the second actuatable element configured toactuate between a second open position and a second closed position. Thesecond actuatable element may be configured to provide access to astowage compartment when the second actuatable element is in the openposition.

In some embodiments, the stowage compartment may be configured to houseat least one of one or more passenger amenities, one or more electronicconnections for one or more passenger amenities, one or more electronicconnections in communication with one or more components of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite, or one or more safety devices.

An aircraft seat for an aircraft passenger compartment suite isdisclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.The primary section may include an upper actuatable portion and a loweractuatable portion. The primary section may be configured to actuatebetween a primary upright position and a primary lie-flat position. Theaircraft seat may include an auxiliary section including an upperportion coupled to a privacy shell element of the aircraft passengercompartment suite, an auxiliary seat base portion, and an auxiliaryseatback portion configured to actuate between an auxiliary uprightposition and an auxiliary lie-flat position. The auxiliary seat baseportion may include an actuatable element, the actuatable elementconfigured to actuate between an open position and a closed position,the actuatable element configured to provide access to a stowagecompartment when the actuatable element is in the open position.

In some embodiments, an actuation of the auxiliary seatback portion ofthe auxiliary section may be dependent on an actuation of the primarysection.

In some embodiments, an actuation of the auxiliary seatback portion ofthe auxiliary section may be independent of an actuation of the primarysection.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary seatback portion may include a secondactuatable element. The second actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be configured to actuate between a second openposition and a second closed position.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary seatback portion may include a thirdactuatable element. The third actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be configured to actuate between a stowed positionand a deployed position.

In some embodiments, the second actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion may be configured to rest on the third actuatableelement of the auxiliary seatback portion when the second actuatableelement of the auxiliary seatback portion is in the open position andthe third actuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion is in thedeployed position.

This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matterthat is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. TheSummary should not be considered to describe essential features nor beused to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing Summary and the following DetailedDescription are examples and explanatory only and are not necessarilyrestrictive of the subject matter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances inthe description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosureare disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general,operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitraryorder, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1D illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1E illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1F illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2D illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2E illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2F illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3C illustrates an aircraft passenger compartment suite including abench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an aircraft including an aircraftpassenger compartment suite, in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed,which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail,it is to be understood the embodiments are not limited in theirapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents or steps or methodologies set forth in the followingdescription or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detaileddescription of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forthin order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of the instant disclosure the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be practiced without some of these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoidunnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended toreference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar,but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element orfeature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Suchshorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and shouldnot be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expresslystated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements andcomponents of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely forconvenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at leastone,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obviousthat it is meant otherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “someembodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of thephrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodimentsmay include one or more of the features expressly described orinherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combination of twoor more such features, along with any other features which may notnecessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instantdisclosure.

FIGS. 1A-4 generally illustrate an aircraft passenger compartment suiteincluding a bench-back aircraft seat, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

In commercial transportation vehicles such as passenger aircraft, anaircraft passenger compartment suite may include one or more aircraftseats. The aircraft seat may be designed for a primary occupyingpassenger, but there may be a desire for a guest passenger to visit theaircraft passenger compartment suite during flight, which may requireadditional seating.

When in an upright position, the aircraft seat may include a widebench-back (e.g., be sofa-like), providing a comfortable seating surfacefor both the primary passenger and guest passenger. However, theaircraft seat may need to be set in a staggered layout to allow for amore compact configuration of aircraft seats (e.g., when in a bed orlie-flat position for use by the primary passenger) within the aircraftpassenger compartment suite. In addition, the aircraft seat may need tobe set in a staggered layout to allow for a more compact configurationof aircraft passenger compartment suites, where there are multipleaircraft passenger compartment suites installed within a passengeraircraft.

As such, it would be beneficial to provide an aircraft passengercompartment suite including a bench-back aircraft seat that may beinstalled in a staggered layout within the aircraft passengercompartment suite.

FIGS. 1A-3C illustrate an aircraft passenger compartment suite 100, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1A-1F, the aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 may include one or more sides. For example, theaircraft passenger compartment suite 100 may include a side 102 and aside 104 separated by a privacy divider 106. The aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 may include one or more passenger compartments 100a. For example, the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 may includeone or more passenger compartments 100 a within the side 102 and/or oneor more passenger compartments 100 a within the side 104.

The aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 may include a privacy shellwith one or more privacy shell elements 108. The privacy shell mayinclude an opening 110 within the one or more privacy shell elements 108into the aircraft passenger compartment 100 a. The aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 may include a door for the opening 110. Forexample, the door may swing or slide into an open position against aprivacy shell element 108. By way of another example, a privacy shellelement 108 may be at least partially hollow, and the door may be slidinto a stowage compartment defined in the one or more privacy shellelements 108.

The aircraft passenger compartment 100 a may include one or moreaircraft seats 112. For example, the aircraft passenger compartment 100a may include one aircraft seat 112. By way of another example, theaircraft passenger compartment 100 a may include two aircraft seats 112.A privacy shell element 108 proximate to the aircraft seat 112 may beconfigured to conform to at least a part of an aircraft seat 112.

The aircraft seat 112 may be translatable (e.g., trackable or slidable).The aircraft seat 112 may be rotatable about an axis cross-wise throughthe aircraft seat 112 into a position including, but not limited to, anupright or raised position, one or more reclined positions, and/or a bedor lie-flat position. The aircraft seat 112 may be rotatable about anaxis (e.g., swivelable). The aircraft seat 112 may be fully positionablebetween the outer limits of motion as defined by the moveable componentsof the aircraft seat 112, and/or other monuments of the aircraftpassenger compartment 100 a. It is noted herein a fully upright orraised position may be considered a taxi, takeoff, or landing (TTOL)position during select stages of flight (though the upright position isnot limited to use during the select stages of flight as the TTOLposition, but also may be used at any point during the flight), forpurposes of the present disclosure. In addition, it is noted herein thatany position that does not meet the above-defined requirements of theTTOL position may be considered a non-TTOL position, for purposes of thepresent disclosure. Further, it is noted herein the aircraft seat 112may be actuatable (e.g., translatable and/or rotatable) from the TTOLposition to a non-TTOL position, and/or vice versa.

An aircraft seat 112 may include one or more aircraft seat sections. Forexample, the aircraft seat 112 may include a primary section 114 and anauxiliary section 116. By way of another example, the aircraft seat 112may include a single section. Generally, the aircraft seat 112 mayinclude any number of sections.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1A and 1B, the primary section 114 andthe auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may form a wideseating area or surface when the aircraft seat 112 is in the uprightposition, such that the aircraft seat 112 may be considered to include abench-back. The wide seating area or surface may be configured to seatone or more passengers. The primary section 114 may be configured toseat a passenger occupying the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100and the auxiliary section 116 may be configured to seat a guestpassenger when the aircraft seat 112 is in the upright position (e.g.,may operate as a buddy seat). It is noted herein the increased width ofthe aircraft seat 112 may provide for the aircraft passenger compartmentsuite 100 to be used as a shared, social environment by a guestpassenger in addition to usage by the passenger occupying the aircraftpassenger compartment suite 100.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1C and 1D, the auxiliary section 116may include an auxiliary seatback portion 118 and an auxiliary seat baseportion 120. The auxiliary seatback portion 118 may include anactuatable element 122. The actuatable element 122 may rotate and/ortranslate between a closed position and an open position. A stowagecompartment (or storage compartment) 124 may be accessible within theaircraft seat 112 or a privacy shell element 108 proximate to theaircraft seat 112. For example, the stowage compartment 124 may beaccessible when the actuatable element 122 is in the open position.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1E and 1F, the aircraft seat 112 may beactuatable between the upright position and the lie-flat position. Theprimary section 114 may include an upper actuatable portion (e.g., anactuatable primary seatback portion, or the like) and/or a loweractuatable portion (e.g., an actuatable primary seat base portion, orthe like). For example, the primary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112may form a lie-flat area or surface when the aircraft seat 112 is in thelie-flat position. By way of another example, the primary section 114and the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may form a widelie-flat area or surface when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flatposition. For instance, the wide lie-flat area or surface may provideincreased width for portions of a passenger's upper body (e.g., torso,arms, shoulders, head, or the like). In addition, the wide lie-flat areaor surface may provide an area to be used as a surface for thepassenger's belongings (e.g., similar to a nightstand or end table).

The auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may be coupled to theprimary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112. For example, the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may include a full-length backcoupled to the primary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112, where theentire full-length back actuates as a single section. By way of anotherexample, the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may includethe auxiliary seat base portion 120 coupled to the primary section 114of the aircraft seat 112 and the auxiliary seatback portion 118 (e.g., aportion including the actuatable element 122 and/or the stowagecompartment 124) coupled to a privacy shell element 108 proximate to theaircraft seat 112, where the auxiliary seat base portion 120 and theauxiliary seatback portion 118 are split. For instance, the split may(non-limitingly) be along a horizontal or substantially horizontal line.In addition, the auxiliary seat base portion 120 of the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may abut or be proximate to theauxiliary seatback portion 118 of the auxiliary section 116 of theaircraft seat 112 when the aircraft seat 112 is in the upright position.Further, a gap may exist between the auxiliary seat base portion 120 ofthe auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 coupled to theprimary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., an air gap, a gapconfigured to hold a pillow for a passenger when the aircraft seat 112is in the lie-flat position) and the auxiliary seatback portion 118 ofthe auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112. It is noted hereinthe gap may represent a spacing between the auxiliary seat base portion120 and the auxiliary seatback portion 118 of the auxiliary section 116of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., a spacing where a portion of a privacyshell element 108 be may observed). In addition, it is noted herein thegap may contribute to the wide lie-flat area or surface providingincreased width for portions of a passenger's upper body (e.g., torso,arms, shoulders, head, or the like).

As illustrated in at least FIG. 2A, the auxiliary section 116 mayinclude an auxiliary seatback portion 200. The auxiliary seatbackportion 200 of the auxiliary section 116 may include an actuatableelement 202. The actuatable element 202 may rotate and/or translatebetween a closed position and an open position. A stowage compartment(or storage compartment) 204 may be accessible within the aircraft seat112 or a privacy shell element 108 proximate to the aircraft seat 112.For example, the stowage compartment 204 may be accessible when theactuatable element 202 is in the open position.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 2A and 2B, the auxiliary seatbackportion 200 of the auxiliary section 116 may include an actuatableelement 206. The actuatable element 206 may rotate and/or translatebetween a stowed position (or stored position) and a deployed position.For example, as illustrated in at least FIG. 2A, the actuatable element202 may rest on the actuatable element 206 when the actuatable element202 and the actuatable element 206 are each in the respective open ordeployed positions. By way of another example, as illustrated in atleast FIG. 2B, the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 mayonly include the actuatable element 206. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be interpreted as a limitation on the presentdisclosure but merely an illustration.

As illustrated in at least FIG. 2C, the auxiliary section 116 mayinclude an auxiliary seat base portion 208. The auxiliary seat baseportion 208 may include an actuatable element 210. For example, theactuatable element 210 may form a part of a seating surface for a guestpassenger occupying the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112.The actuatable element 210 may rotate and/or translate between a closedposition and an open position. A stowage compartment (or storagecompartment) 212 may be accessible within the aircraft seat 112 or aprivacy shell element 108 proximate to the aircraft seat 112. Forexample, the stowage compartment 212 may be accessible when theactuatable element 210 is in the open position.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate the auxiliaryseat base portion 208 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat112 as being in use with the actuatable element 202 and the actuatableelement 206 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g.,as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F), it is noted herein the auxiliary seatbase portion 208 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112may be used with any embodiment of the aircraft seat 112 as describedthroughout the disclosure. Therefore, the above description should notbe interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely anillustration.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 2D-2F, the aircraft seat 112 may beactuatable from the upright position to the lie-flat position. Theprimary section 114 may include an upper actuatable portion (e.g., anactuatable primary seatback portion, or the like) and/or a loweractuatable portion (e.g., an actuatable primary seat base portion, orthe like). For example, the primary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112may form a lie-flat area or surface when the aircraft seat 112 is in thelie-flat position. By way of another example, the primary section 114and the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may form a widelie-flat area or surface when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flatposition. For instance, the wide lie-flat area or surface may provideincreased width for portions of a passenger's upper body (e.g., torso,arms, shoulders, head, or the like). In addition, the wide lie-flat areaor surface may provide an area to be used as a surface for thepassenger's belongings (e.g., similar to a nightstand or end table).

The auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may be coupled to theprimary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112. For example, the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may include a full-length backcoupled to the primary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112. By way ofanother example, the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 mayinclude the auxiliary seatback portion 200 coupled to the primarysection 114 of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., a portion including theactuatable element 202, the stowage compartment 204, and/or theactuatable element 206), and an upper portion 214 coupled to a privacyshell element 108 proximate to the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., a headrest,a second seat back portion, or the like), where the auxiliary seatbackportion 200 and the upper portion 214 are split. For instance, the splitmay (non-limitingly) be along a horizontal or substantially horizontalline. In addition, the auxiliary seatback portion 200 of the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may abut or be proximate to theupper portion 214 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112when the aircraft seat 112 is in the upright position. Further, a gapmay exist between the auxiliary seatback portion 200 of the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 coupled to the primary section 114of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., an air gap, a gap configured to hold apillow for a passenger when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flatposition) and the upper portion 214 of the auxiliary section 116 of theaircraft seat 112. It is noted herein the gap may be a spacing betweenthe auxiliary seatback portion 200 and the upper portion 214 of theauxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112, and not a stowagecompartment within the aircraft seat 112 and/or the privacy shellelement 108. In addition, it is noted herein the gap may contribute tothe wide lie-flat area or surface providing increased width for portionsof a passenger's upper body (e.g., torso, arms, shoulders, head, or thelike).

Although embodiments of the disclosure (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS.1A-2F) are directed to the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat112 being coupled to and actuating with the primary section 114 of theaircraft seat 112, it is noted herein that the actuation of theauxiliary section 116 may be independent of the actuation of the primarysection 114 where the primary section 114 and the auxiliary section 116are split. For instance, the split may (non-limitingly) be along avertical or substantially vertical line. Where actuation of theauxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may result a gap betweenthe auxiliary seatback portion 200 and the upper portion 214 of theauxiliary section 116 when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flatposition, it is noted herein the independent actuation of the auxiliarysection 116 may fill in the gap to prevent access to the gap by thepassenger when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flat position.

As illustrated in at least FIG. 3A, the auxiliary section 116 mayinclude an auxiliary seatback portion. The auxiliary seatback portion ofthe auxiliary section 116 may include an actuatable element 300. Theactuatable element 300 may rotate and/or translate between a closedposition and an open position. A stowage compartment (or storagecompartment) 302 may be accessible within the aircraft seat 112 or aprivacy shell element 108 proximate to the aircraft seat 112. Forexample, the stowage compartment 302 may be accessible when theactuatable element 300 is in the open position.

The actuatable element 300 may be set within a seatback portion 304 ofthe auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112. It is noted herein awidth of the actuatable element 300 may only be a fraction of a width ofthe seatback portion 304 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraftseat 112, as opposed to being the entire width or substantially theentire width of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112(e.g., as illustrated by the width of the actuatable element 202 and/orthe actuatable element 206 in FIGS. 2A-2F).

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 3B and 3C, the auxiliary section 116may include an auxiliary seat base portion 306. The auxiliary seat baseportion 306 may include an actuatable element 308. For example, theactuatable element 308 may form a portion of a seating surface for aguest passenger occupying the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat112. The actuatable element 308 may rotate and/or translate between astowed position (or stored position) and a deployed position.

It is noted herein the aircraft seat 112 or a privacy shell element 108proximate to the aircraft seat 112 may include a stowage compartment (orstorage compartment) accessible via the actuatable element 308 (e.g.,similar to the auxiliary seat base portion 208 as illustrated in FIGS.2A-2F). For example, the stowage compartment may be accessible when theactuatable element 308 is in the open position. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be interpreted as a limitation on the presentdisclosure but merely an illustration.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate the auxiliaryseat base portion 306 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat112 as being in use with the actuatable element 300 of the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS.3A-3C), it is noted herein the auxiliary seat base portion 306 of theauxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may be used with anyembodiment of the aircraft seat 112 as described throughout thedisclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be interpretedas a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

The aircraft seat 112 may be actuatable from the upright position to thelie-flat position. The primary section 114 may include an upperactuatable portion (e.g., an actuatable primary seatback portion, or thelike) and/or a lower actuatable portion (e.g., an actuatable primaryseat base portion, or the like). For example, the primary section 114 ofthe aircraft seat 112 may form a lie-flat area or surface when theaircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flat position. By way of anotherexample, the primary section 114 and the auxiliary section 116 of theaircraft seat 112 may form a wide lie-flat area or surface when theaircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flat position. For instance, the widelie-flat area or surface may provide increased width for portions of apassenger's upper body (e.g., torso, arms, shoulders, head, or thelike). In addition, the wide lie-flat area or surface may provide anarea to be used as a surface for the passenger's belongings (e.g.,similar to a nightstand or end table).

The actuatable element 308 of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraftseat 112 may be deployed as a wide extension to the primary section 114of the aircraft seat 112 when the aircraft seat 112 is in the lie-flatposition. For example, the actuatable element 308 of the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may be deployed independently ofthe primary section 114 of the aircraft seat 112. It is noted herein,however, actuatable element 308 of the auxiliary section 116 of theaircraft seat 112 may be coupled to the primary section 114 of theaircraft seat 112 such that the actuation of the actuatable element 308of the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 is dependent onthe actuation of the auxiliary section 116.

It is noted herein that one or more of the actuatable elements 122, 202,206, 210, 300, 308 may include an armrest, nightstand, end table, traytable, work surface, or the like for use by the passenger occupying theaircraft passenger compartment suite 100. For example, one or more ofthe actuatable elements 122, 202, 206, 210, 300, 308 may include or becovered with a cushion. By way of another example, one or more of theactuatable elements 122, 202, 206, 210, 300, 308 may be overmolded witha material (e.g., with rubber, foam, cloth, plastic, leather, or thelike). By way of another example, one or more of the actuatable elements122, 202, 206, 210, 300, 308 may be fabricated from a rigid material(e.g., plastic, veneer, or the like).

It is noted herein that one or more of the stowage compartments 124,204, 212, 302 may be configured to receive and/or house (e.g., contain,secure, hold, or the like) one or more passenger amenities including,but not limited to, one or more pieces of carry-on luggage,paper-printed materials (e.g., magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, or thelike), select personal electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets,phablets, laptops, music devices, digital video disc (DVD) players,handheld gaming consoles or devices, or the like), food products, drinkproducts, or the like. In addition, it is noted herein that one or moreof the stowage compartments 124, 204, 212, 302 may include one or moreelectronic connections for one or more passenger amenities such as, butnot limited to, one or more charging ports, one or more charging cables,or the like. Further, it is noted herein that one or more of the stowagecompartments 124, 204, 212, 302 may include one or more electronicconnections in communication with one or more components of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite 100 such as, but not limited to, one or moredisplay device connection ports, one or more display device connectioncables, one or more audio output jacks (e.g., headphone jacks), one ormore audio input jacks, or the like. Further, it is noted herein thatone or more of the stowage compartments 124, 204, 212, 302 may includeone or more safety devices (e.g., air masks, personal floatationdevices, or the like).

The aircraft seat 112 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3C) may beactuatable through a reclined position from the upright position to thelie-flat position. For example, the primary section 114 of the aircraftseat 112 may form a reclined seating surface when the aircraft seat 112is in the reclined position. By way of another example, the primarysection 114 and the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 mayform a wide reclined seating area or surface when the aircraft seat 112is in the reclined position. Where the primary section 114 and theauxiliary section 116 may form the wide reclined seating area orsurface, an actuation of the auxiliary section 116 may be dependent onan actuation of the primary section 114. It is noted herein, however,that the actuation of the auxiliary section 116 may be independent ofthe actuation of the primary section 114. Although embodiments of thedisclosure illustrate the reclined position being a transition pointbetween the upright position and the lie-flat position, the reclinedposition may be a separate position such that the aircraft seat 112 maytransition from the upright position to the reclined position ortransition from the upright position to the lie-flat position.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate the auxiliarysection 116 of the aircraft seat 112 being usable by a guest passengerwhen the aircraft seat 112 is in the upright position, it is notedherein the auxiliary section 116 of the aircraft seat 112 may be usableby the guest passenger when the aircraft seat 112 is in the reclinedposition or the lie-flat position. Therefore, the above descriptionshould not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure butmerely an illustration.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 1A, 1C, 1E, 2A-2F, and 3A-3C, theprimary section 114 may be proximate to an ottoman 126 of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite 100 when in the lie-flat position. Theaircraft seat 112 and the ottoman 126 may form the lie-flat surface whenthe aircraft seat 112 and the ottoman 126 are each in a lie-flatposition.

The ottoman 126 may be positioned underneath a monument 128 of theprivacy divider 106. For example, a monument 128 may include, but is notlimited to, a side stand, a tray or table, or the like. Where themonument 128 includes a tray or table, the tray or table may include atop surface, a bottom surface, and/or one or more side surfaces. Forexample, the tray may include a single continuous side surface where allcorners are rounded. By way of another example, the tray may include upto an N number of side surfaces where the tray includes up to an Nnumber of corners. The tray or table may be static in position. It isnoted herein, however, that the tray or table may be actuatable (e.g.,may extend a select distance from a stowed position to an extendedposition proximate to a passenger).

The ottoman 126 may be positioned within a footwell of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite 100. For instance, one or more dimensions ofthe footwell may be changed by transitioning the aircraft seat 112between an upright position, a reclined position, and/or the lie-flatposition. It is noted herein that a portion of the ottoman 126 may beactuatable (e.g., along a set of tracks or linear rails) to a positionoutside of the footwell.

The ottoman 126 may be configured to translate and/or rotate about anaxis through a sidewall of the ottoman to point a top surface to apassenger occupying the aircraft seat 112. For example, where theottoman 126 may be configured to both translate and rotate, the ottoman126 may be configured to independently rotate and/or translate. By wayof another example, where the ottoman 126 may be configured to bothtranslate and rotate, a rotation may prevent further translation untilthe ottoman 126 is returned to a select position and/or a translationmay prevent further rotation until the ottoman 126 is returned to aselect position.

It is noted herein, however, the aircraft seat 112 and/or the ottoman126 may be limited to an upright position and/or one or more reclinedpositions. In addition, it is noted herein the aircraft seat 112 may bethe sole component forming a bed when the aircraft seat 112 is in alie-flat position. Therefore, the above description should not beinterpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely anillustration.

The aircraft passenger compartment 100 a of the aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 may include one or more lights, one or morestowage compartments, and/or one or more passenger in-flightentertainment devices (IFEs). For example, the one or more IFEs mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more display devices.

Although embodiments of the disclosure illustrate components as beinginstalled within and/or related to the side 102 or the side 104, it isnoted herein any discussion about components installed within and/orrelated to the side 102 may be applied to the side 104, and vice versa.Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as alimitation on the scope of the disclosure but merely an illustration.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a passenger aircraft 430 includingthe aircraft passenger compartment suite 100, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

The passenger aircraft 430 may include one or more aircraft passengercompartment suite controllers 400 (e.g., in the aircraft passengercompartment suite 100). The one or more aircraft passenger compartmentsuite controllers 400 may include one or more processors 402 and memory404. The memory 404 may store one or more sets of program instructions406. The one or more processors 402 may be configured to execute the oneor more sets of program instructions 406 to carry out one or more of thevarious steps described throughout the present disclosure. The one ormore aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 may includeone or more communication interfaces 408.

The one or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 maybe coupled (e.g., physically and/or communicatively coupled) to one ormore components in a passenger compartment 100 a of the side 102 (e.g.,the aircraft seat 112, the ottoman 126, or other components of apassenger compartment 100 a of the side 102). The one or more aircraftpassenger compartment suite controllers 400 may be coupled (e.g.,physically and/or communicatively coupled) to one or more components ina passenger compartment 100 a of the side 104 (e.g., the aircraft seat112, the ottoman 126, or other components of a passenger compartment 100a of the side 104). The one or more aircraft passenger compartment suitecontrollers 400 may be coupled (e.g., physically and/or communicativelycoupled) to one or more components in the privacy divider 106.

The one or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 maytransmit instructions, power, control signals, data, or the like to theone or more components in the passenger compartments 100 a of the side102, the side 104, and/or the privacy divider 106. The one or moreaircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 may receiveinstructions, power, control signals, data, or the like from the one ormore components in the passenger compartments 100 a of the side 102, theside 104, and/or the privacy divider 106.

The one or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 maybe coupled (e.g., physically and/or communicatively coupled) to one ormore aircraft controllers 410. The one or more aircraft controllers 410may include one or more processors 412 and memory 414. The memory 414may store one or more sets of program instructions 416. The one or moreprocessors 412 may be configured to execute the one or more sets ofprogram instructions 416 to carry out one or more of the various stepsdescribed throughout the present disclosure. The one or more aircraftcontrollers 410 may include one or more communication interfaces 418.

The one or more aircraft controllers 410 may be coupled to one or moredisplay devices 420. The one or more aircraft controllers 410 may becoupled to one or more user input devices 422.

The one or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 maybe coupled to a control unit 424. The control unit 424 may be coupled toone or more display devices 426. The control unit 424 may be coupled toone or more user input devices 428. The passenger control unit 424 maybe positioned in the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 for use bya passenger. The passenger control unit 424 may be positioned on anexternal surface of the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 for useby a crew member.

It is noted herein the control unit 424 may be a component of the one ormore aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400. In addition,it is noted herein the control unit 424 may be integrated in the one ormore aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400. Further, itis noted herein the control unit 424 may be considered to include and/orbe a passenger seat control unit, for purposes of the presentdisclosure.

The one or more processors 402, 412 may include any one or moreprocessing elements known in the art. In this sense, the one or moreprocessors 402, 412 may include any microprocessor device configured toexecute algorithms and/or program instructions. In general, the term“processor” may be broadly defined to encompass any device having one ormore processing elements, which execute a set of program instructionsfrom a non-transitory memory medium (e.g., the memory 404, 414), wherethe one or more sets of program instructions 406, 416 are configured tocause the one or more processors 402, 412 to carry out any of one ormore process steps.

The memory 404, 414 may include any storage medium known in the artsuitable for storing the one or more sets of program instructions 406,416 executable by the associated one or more processors 402, 412. Forexample, the memory 404, 414 may include a non-transitory memory medium.For instance, the memory 404, 414 may include, but is not limited to, aread-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic oroptical memory device (e.g., disk), a magnetic tape, a solid statedrive, and the like. The memory 404, 414 may be configured to providedisplay information to the one or more display devices 420, 426. Inaddition, the memory 404, 414 may be configured to store user inputinformation from the one or more user input devices 422, 428. The memory404, 414 may be housed in a common controller housing with the one ormore processors 402, 412. The memory 404, 414 may, alternatively or inaddition, be located remotely with respect to the spatial location ofthe one or more processors 402, 412, the one or more aircraft passengercompartment suite controllers 400 and/or the one or more aircraftcontrollers 410. For instance, the one or more processors 402, 412, theone or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400, and/orthe one or more aircraft controllers 410 may access a remote memory 404,414 (e.g., server), accessible through a network (e.g., internet,intranet, and the like) via one or more communication interfaces.

The one or more communication interfaces 408, 418 may be operativelyconfigured to communicate with one or more components of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite controller 400 and/or the one or morecomponents of the aircraft controller 410. For example, the one or morecommunication interfaces 408, 418 may also be coupled (e.g., physically,electrically, and/or communicatively) with the one or more processors402, 412 to facilitate data transfer between components of the one ormore components of the aircraft passenger compartment suite controller400 and/or the one or more components of the aircraft controller 410 andthe one or more processors 402, 412. For instance, the one or morecommunication interfaces 408, 418 may be configured to retrieve datafrom the one or more processors 402, 412, or other devices, transmitdata for storage in the memory 404, 414, retrieve data from storage inthe memory 404, 414, or the like. By way of another example, theaircraft controller 410 and/or one or more offboard controllers may beconfigured to receive and/or acquire data or information from othersystems or tools by a transmission medium that may include wirelineand/or wireless portions. By way of another example, the aircraftcontroller 410 and/or the one or more offboard controllers may beconfigured to transmit data or information (e.g., the output of one ormore procedures of the inventive concepts disclosed herein) to one ormore systems or tools by a transmission medium that may include wirelineand/or wireless portions (e.g., a transmitter, receiver, transceiver,physical connection interface, or any combination). In this regard, thetransmission medium may serve as a data link between the aircraftcontroller 410 and/or the one or more offboard controllers and the othersubsystems (e.g., of the passenger aircraft 430 and/or the aircraftpassenger compartment suite 100). In addition, the aircraft controller410 and/or the one or more offboard controllers may be configured tosend data to external systems via a transmission medium (e.g., networkconnection).

Although the present disclosure is directed to the one or more aircraftpassenger compartment suite controllers 400 and the one or more aircraftcontrollers 410 being separate, it is noted herein the one or moreaircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400 and the one or moreaircraft controllers 410 may be the same and/or share select components.Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as alimitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

The one or more display devices 420, 426 may include any display deviceknown in the art. For example, the one or more display devices 420, 426may include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight-emitting diode (LED) based display, an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) based display, an electroluminescent display (ELD), anelectronic paper (E-ink) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), adisplay light processing (DLP) display, a cathode-ray tube (CRT), or thelike. Those skilled in the art should recognize that a variety ofdisplay devices 420, 426 may be suitable for implementation in thepresent invention and the particular choice of display device may dependon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, form factor,cost, and the like. In a general sense, any display device capable ofintegration with the user input device (e.g., touchscreen, bezel mountedinterface, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and the like) is suitable forimplementation in the present invention.

The one or more user input devices 422, 428 may include any user inputdevice known in the art. For example, the one or more user input devices422, 428 may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a keypad, atouchscreen, a lever, a knob, a scroll wheel, a track ball, a switch, adial, a sliding bar, a scroll bar, a slide, a handle, a touch pad, apaddle, a steering wheel, a joystick, a bezel input device, or the like.In the case of a touchscreen interface, those skilled in the art shouldrecognize that a large number of touchscreen interfaces may be suitablefor implementation in the present invention. For instance, the one ormore display devices 420, 426 may be integrated with a touchscreeninterface, such as, but not limited to, a capacitive touchscreen, aresistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic based touchscreen, an infraredbased touchscreen, or the like. In a general sense, any touchscreeninterface capable of integration with the display portion of a displaydevice is suitable for implementation in the present invention. Inanother embodiment, the input devices may include, but is not limitedto, a bezel mounted interface.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the oneor more display devices 420, 426 being indirectly coupled to thecorresponding one or more user input devices 422, 428 indirectly (e.g.,via the one or more aircraft passenger compartment suite controllers 400and/or the one or more aircraft controllers 410), it is noted herein theone or more display devices 420, 426 may be directly coupled to thecorresponding one or more user input devices 422, 428. For example, theone or more display devices 420, 426 may be housed with the one or moreuser input devices 422, 428 in a common user interface housing.Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as alimitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

It is noted herein that any embodiments directed to the display devices402, 426 and/or the user input devices 422, 428 may be directed to IFEsinstalled within the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100.Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as alimitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate the actuationof components of the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 via thecontrol unit 424 (e.g., where the components are driven via a motor), itis noted herein that one or more components of the aircraft seat 112 maybe actuated by engaging a handle that activates one or more analogmechanical assemblies. Therefore, the above description should not beinterpreted as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure but merely anillustration.

Although the present disclosure is directed to the aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 being installed in the passenger aircraft 430, itis noted herein the aircraft passenger compartment suite 100 may beinstalled within any number of environments. For example, theenvironment may include any type of vehicle known in the art. Forinstance, the vehicle may be any air, land, or water-based personalequipment or vehicle; any air, land, or water-based commercial equipmentor vehicle; any air, land, or water-based military equipment or vehicleknown in the art. By way of another example, the environment may includea commercial or industrial establishment (e.g., a home or a business).

It is noted herein that one or more components of the aircraft passengercompartment suite 100 may need to be configured in accordance withaviation guidelines and/or standards put forth by, but not limited to,the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation SafetyAgency (EASA) or any other flight certification agency or organization;the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Aeronautical Radio,Incorporated (ARINC), or any other standards setting organization orcompany; the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) or anyother guidelines agency or organization; or the like.

Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to theembodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents maybe employed and substitutions made herein without departing from thescope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein aremerely examples of a system/device and components that may be used toimplement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced withother devices and components without departing from the scope of theclaims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical rangesprovided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unlessotherwise specified in the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An aircraft seat for an aircraft passengercompartment suite, comprising: a primary section including an upperactuatable portion and a lower actuatable portion, the primary sectionconfigured to actuate between a primary upright position and a primarylie-flat position; and an auxiliary section including an auxiliaryseatback portion coupled to a privacy shell element of the aircraftpassenger compartment suite and an auxiliary seat base portionconfigured to actuate between an auxiliary upright position and anauxiliary lie-flat position, the auxiliary seatback portion including anactuatable element, the actuatable element configured to actuate betweenan open position and a closed position, the actuatable elementconfigured to provide access to a stowage compartment when theactuatable element is in the open position.
 2. The aircraft passengercompartment suite of claim 1, an actuation of the auxiliary seat baseportion of the auxiliary section being dependent on an actuation of theprimary section.
 3. The aircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 1,an actuation of the auxiliary seat base portion of the auxiliary sectionbeing independent of an actuation of the primary section.
 4. Theaircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 1, a width of theactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion being equal to awidth of the auxiliary section.
 5. The aircraft passenger compartmentsuite of claim 1, a width of the actuatable element of the auxiliaryseatback portion being less than a width of the auxiliary section. 6.The aircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 1, the auxiliaryseatback portion including a second actuatable element, the secondactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion configured toactuate between a stowed position and a deployed position.
 7. Theaircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 6, the actuatable elementof the auxiliary seatback portion configured to rest on the secondactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion when the actuatableelement of the auxiliary seatback portion is in the open position andthe second actuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion is inthe deployed position.
 8. The aircraft passenger compartment suite ofclaim 1, the auxiliary seat base portion including a second actuatableelement, the second actuatable element configured to actuate between asecond open position and a second closed position, the second actuatableelement configured to provide access to a stowage compartment when thesecond actuatable element is in the open position.
 9. The aircraftpassenger compartment suite of claim 1, the stowage compartmentconfigured to house at least one of one or more passenger amenities, oneor more electronic connections for one or more passenger amenities, oneor more electronic connections in communication with one or morecomponents of the aircraft passenger compartment suite, or one or moresafety devices.
 10. An aircraft seat for an aircraft passengercompartment suite, comprising: a primary section including an upperactuatable portion and a lower actuatable portion, the primary sectionconfigured to actuate between a primary upright position and a primarylie-flat position; and an auxiliary section including an upper portioncoupled to a privacy shell element of the aircraft passenger compartmentsuite, an auxiliary seat base portion, and an auxiliary seatback portionconfigured to actuate between an auxiliary upright position and anauxiliary lie-flat position, the auxiliary seat base portion includingan actuatable element, the actuatable element configured to actuatebetween an open position and a closed position, the actuatable elementconfigured to provide access to a stowage compartment when theactuatable element is in the open position.
 11. The aircraft passengercompartment suite of claim 10, an actuation of the auxiliary seatbackportion of the auxiliary section being dependent on an actuation of theprimary section.
 12. The aircraft passenger compartment suite of claim10, an actuation of the auxiliary seatback portion of the auxiliarysection being independent of an actuation of the primary section. 13.The aircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 10, the auxiliaryseatback portion including a second actuatable element, the secondactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion configured toactuate between a second open position and a second closed position. 14.The aircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 13, the auxiliaryseatback portion including a third actuatable element, the thirdactuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion configured toactuate between a stowed position and a deployed position.
 15. Theaircraft passenger compartment suite of claim 14, the second actuatableelement of the auxiliary seatback portion configured to rest on thethird actuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion when thesecond actuatable element of the auxiliary seatback portion is in theopen position and the third actuatable element of the auxiliary seatbackportion is in the deployed position.